You are planning your trip with your family to countries of Indochina and sometimes, you will find it too difficult to suit everyone’s needs. Here below are some useful tips for your plan.
1. Choose suitable activities and destinations for family
Vietnam
Northern Vietnam
Halong Bay is a great spot for family-friendly adventure in Vietnam. 2 days 1 night or 3 days 2 nights on Halong cruises will give you great opportunities to connect all your family members. Kayaking, swimming, squid fishing, cooking classes are the main activities for your family to have memorable experiences together. Amira cruise with only 3 cabins, Indochina Junk Cruise with Prince 2 cabins, Red Dragon: 5 cabins, Gray Lines with Family, Paloma Cruise.
More information about cruises in Vietnam
Hanoi: visit villages on the outskirt, a trip to Bat Trang pottery village where everyone in the family can paint a piece to take home.
Interesting day trip from Hanoi
Central Vietnam
Nha Trang is famous for scuba diving and Mui Ne is well known for windsurfing and parasailing. These destinations are highly recommended if you are interested in water sports. Nha Trang also has Vinpearl amusement park which can be a fun activity to enjoy as a family.
Hoi An is much more relaxed town and is a place to experience a different city vibe in Vietnam. Hoi An is a great break from the hustle and bustle of life, some activities such as lantern making classes, cycling tours to the surrounding villages will definitely interest your kids.
Southern Vietnam
Saigon: Dam Sen Waterpark or Suoi Tien Amusement Park. Both places have plenty of rides, attractions, and activities geared towards children and is a great way to keep them active during your vacation.
Mekong Delta: a speedboat or overnight cruise on Mekong Delta are engaging for young kids because they entail boat trip down the backwaters, visits to rice paper factories, visits to fruit candy manufacturing shops.
Cambodia
Siem Reap
Siem Reap is one of the best places to visit in Cambodia with kids. It is rich in history and home to the famous Angkor Wat temple. Your children will have a great time exploring the fascinating ruins including one in the jungle. Your kids will have fun exploring the various nooks and crannies and checking out the intricately carved stones. There is a horse ride available for a fee which takes you on a stroll around the pond. Bring lots of water-it is hot out there.
Circus: is simply interesting. The shows reflect the local culture and are very entertaining. After the show, you can meet the acrobats and have your photo taken with them! Get there early for drinks and snacks and to browse the handicraft shop.
Bambu Stage, Cambodian cultural village, Angkor Night Market, Puok Silk Farm, Blue Pumpkin, a day trip to floating village on Lake Tonle Sap, crocodile farm are other interesting options for your trip with kids.
Phnom Penh
The bustling capital city of Phnom Penh is another interesting place to visit. Highlights are Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, Russian Market, Aspara dancing or shadow puppets with the kids, National Museum, Phnom Tamao Zoo.
Laos
Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is a great place to bring your family. With very little motor traffic here in comparison to the capital city of Vientiane, this UNESCO World Heritage town is extremely accessible and easily walkable.
The highlights are Kuangsi Falls, Bear Rescue Centre, And Butterfly Park, Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden, Big Brother Mouse, Luang Prabang Cooking Classes With Children.
Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng has a reputation amongst backpackers for being a party town, but forget what you've heard. The best places for your kids are The Organic Farm with goats, Blue Lagoon, Caves, Climbing And Zip-Lining, Vang Vieng Kayak Tour.
Vientiane
Vientiane is a family-friendly capital city with a lot of activities for kids, including the younger ones. But first, make sure you find a good hotel possibly with a pool. It can get quite hot in town and there aren’t too many natural spaces to cool off. the best places for your kids are night market, Lao Zoo, Inpeng Water Park, A Climb Up The Patuxai Monument, Cope Center.
2. Prepare your kids for the toilets
Many of the toilets in Vietnam are of the squat toilet variety, and they use a spray hose instead of tissue for clean up after a poo. If your kids aren’t used to this, it’s worth reading up, and knowing how it’s done beforehand. You’ll find it all over Southeast Asia, especially in neighboring Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan, and Malaysia. Also in Japanese bathrooms, too sometimes…the squatters, not the hose.
Carry packs of tissue with you, but it’s best for you and the kids to learn how to use the “bum washer.” Learn to keep your belt and pants from dragging the floor. If you have anything hanging from your belt, make sure it’s in a pocket or otherwise not dragging the floor.
Also, water pressure in these hoses can vary widely: from a trickle to a firehose. Test it before you take aim.
3. Carry enough snacks & water
Vietnam is very hot and humid, so always carry some water and snacks with you while you are in the tour.
4. Don’t expect seat belts
There may be seat belts in the front of the car, van or taxi, but they’re frequently broken or missing in the back. If you’re planning to travel in Vietnam with kids, accept this now. And leave the car seat at home.
5. Crossing the Street in Vietnam with kids
This is not as hard as you might think. The key is intent: if your movements are predictable and the motorcycles and scooters know where you intend to go and the speed in which you’re going there, you’ll be fine. In contrast, if you run, stop or change direction suddenly, then you’re putting yourself in danger. Acting squirrelly on Vietnamese roads will get you hurt. Instead, walk slowly and with intent. Watch how the locals do it and follow suit.
6. Keep some stomach meds handy
Vietnam food is fabulous. Very few cuisines in the world compare. if it is the first time you are in Vietnam, you might need to give your belly a day or two to adjust. Vietnamese street food is some of the best, by far, and for the most part, it’s fresh and cleanly prepared. If you have some stomach trouble, it could just be a drastic change in diet, time zones, and climate.